By the time I have completed writing this piece, it would already have become the sixth straight overseas test loss for team BCCI. Not so long ago they were staking claim for the world no.1 test team title.... One can talk about the uncertainties of the game endlessly, but to me this loss was absolutely predictable. As every one would admit, a five day match is real cricket, and the limited over matches are it's entertainment versions. It needs an overseas test series to determine, how good you are, as a pack of cricketers. And we have to admit that this bunch of cricketers are awfully short of being there. Even while considering the "manufactured win" against West Indians they are mediocre as the bunch. (some occasional individual exploits not withstanding)
"Manufactured win?"... many of you may have doubts.. No it's not about fixing the matches... but about doctoring the environmental factors to favor the hosts. No one would disagree if i say the current Windies team will sweat a lot, to beat Boyc;s mom at her kitchen garden track. They are indeed a pale patch of the much feared predecessors, and that too without Chris Gayle. Still we struggled, puffed and panted to secure lead and seal the series... every test could have swung either way even In those environment that is tailored for you to win. If you struggle to succeed at those doctored pitches., how better the expectations could be when you venture out on hostile waters.... against a much tougher opponents.
In this country each and every man on the street, consider themselves as an expert and be always fit for the shoes of Duncan Fletcher. They will demand him to deliver win after win after win.. nothing else. It's no fun to be in that shoes. It needs oodles of luck along with the desired skills to succeed as coach for the team BCCI. Being said that, I would reiterate Duncan Fletcher had been an absolute and colossal failure. He took charge of the team on it's crescendo, and it was mere maintenance that required for some period of time. But still...
One has to admit, we had an interesting bunch of talents around in the team (a great concoction of experience with freshness). Man to man, each one of them can match with any of their counterparts from other test playing nations. Also they have the best reigning captain in the world now. Still we are loosing terribly, match after match while travelling. The fact is that it's not on the talent front we loose, it's in the application that we fail. That is a problem that could not be tackled by the player himself... they need guidance and support from tacticians and management. Take the case of Ishant Sharma..When was the last time he took more than two wickets in an inning? He has been sleep walking so far series after series, without any success. He may be plain unlucky not getting enough wickets even after bowling well (?)..But taking wickets is the only thing that matters, in test cricket. So any exceptional bowling performance is useless if you don't have wickets to show. I am not sure, if he is getting any support in orienting himself towards conversion. It is the case if he is not succeeding even after supported... then what is the point is continuing with him...I don't think the problem lies, when they get unsure about performing their designated roles, as the situation demand. Sehwag remains Sehwag all the time... likewise everyone... they all are considered as individual stars, not the one's who had to perform together towards a solitary team goal.
Again it's very easy to sit in an armchair and criticize post facto. But always better to aware of the situation and be better prepared. Sooner or later they are going to get hit by a tonne of bricks, when they can only see empty stands (as Rahul Dravid has already expressed his concern) across the country, and waning resources sponsors let out filling their coffers.
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